Microbiota-Marrow Communication and Impact on Hematopoiesis and Innate Immunity

Commensal bacteria can have broad influences on the immune response to subsequent, and differing, infectious and inflammatory insults. However, mechanisms underlying this are not well understood. We have used the human enteric protozoan Entamoeba histolytica as a model of infection and inflammation and have shown mitigation of this disease by commensal Clostridia. Ongoing studies focus on understanding mechanisms of how the microbiota and its metabolic products interact with hematopoietic cells and alter pathogen clearance and severity of infection.

Speaker:

Stacey L. Burgess, PhD

Scientist

Houston Methodist Research Institute

Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine

Center for Infectious Disease